Frequently Asked Questions About Our Center

Basic Questions
Departing for the Job Corps Center
Arrival at the Job Corps Center
Clothing, Accessories and Personal Care
Contacting Family & Friends
Introduction to Center Life
Daily Life on Center
Leaving the Job Corps Center

Basic Questions:


What is special or unique about the Alaska Job Corps Center?

- Native dance and drum group
- Climbing wall
- Wilderness adventure program
- Vocational fitness program
- The center was built to be a Job Corps Center
- Outdoor sports field

Do you have any brochures or other promotional information specific to your center? Who is the contact for getting this information?

Our center has both a center brochure and individual brochures for each vocation. You can contact either the center at jcc.alaska@jobcorps.org or our Outreach Admissions office at 1-800-733-JOBS or ak.admissions@jobcorps.org in Anchorage 562-6200.

What do your students commonly say they wish they’d known before arriving?

- More about the dress standards and center rules
– You can ask specific questions by calling the center or the Admissions office at: 861-8800 or 562-6200 or 1-800-733-JOBS

What is the weather like in the area?

- We have four specific seasons.
- Our winters are not extremely cold; temperatures seldom fall below zero. Snowfall varies year to year. We get quite a bit of wind.
- Our spring is beautiful; it seems that within a weeks time all the trees and grass are green. It is not unusual to get a spring snowfall!
- It is light 24 hours a day for most of the summer. We get a fair amount of rain, but when it is sunny it is beautiful.
- It seems that fall comes on September 1st. The green goes away and the leaves are a brilliant yellow. The weather is brisk but not cold.
- You are able to see the Northern Lights 6 months of the year.

Is there anything in particular students should know about the area? (e.g. major attractions, remoteness, etc.)

This area is not remote. We are an hour drive from Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, thirteen miles from the small town of Wasilla, and located within the city limits of Palmer. There are shopping, movies, cross country skiing, biking, restaurants, hiking and many other leisure activities.

Question Students ask who have been accepted to come into the Alaska Job Corps Center:

Departing for the Job Corps Center

What items should I bring? (e.g. clothing, telephone cards, birth certificate, immunization records, driver’s license, Social Security Card, etc.)

- At least one week's worth of clothing or more and swim trunks or swimsuit.
- Clothing appropriate for vocational training, classroom, leisure, and weather.
- Towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair dryer, alarm clock if you have one.
- ID, drivers license, phone cards, if you have them.

What items shouldn’t I bring? (e.g. expensive items, weapons, etc.)

- Contraband, drugs, weapons, knives of any kind, alcohol, or pornography.
- Clothing that promotes use/abuse of drugs, alcohol, gang activity or violence.

What items will the center provide? (e.g. blankets, pillows, work clothing for construction trade programs)

- All of the above.
- Laundry detergent and bleach are provided. Students are asked not to bring their own.


How much luggage can I bring?

Determined by mode of transportation. Airlines allow two pieces checked, plus one carry on. Items can be mailed to the center once the student has arrived.


Where is the center bus pickup? Airport pickup?

- Several different locations throughout Anchorage.
- Transit station downtown Anchorage at 6th and G Street.
- Several different locations in Eagle River, Wasilla and in downtown Palmer.
- Anchorage Airport by the baggage claim area information desk.


What do I do if I miss my bus or plane?

Contact OA/CTS office immediately (1-800-733-JOBS). If it is after hours contact the center and speak to the Safety Office by calling the toll free number 1-800-733-JOBS or (907) 861-8800.


How will I know the person picking me up is from the Job Corps Center?

- The drivers are wearing Job Corps hats, coats and driving government plated vehicles.


Can my parent or other persons I know (guardian, friend, etc.) bring me to the center? If so, who should I contact at the center to arrange this?

Yes. You will need to check with the center for your schedule.
Call (907) 861-8800 and speak to the center safety office.

Arrival at the Job Corps Center


Dormitories

What are the dorms like? How many students are in each room?

- The dorm rooms each have a shared bathroom, personal closet, wall locker (with padlock) and bed.
- Each room generally has four students except in the family dorm there is one family per room.


When am I assigned to a room?

- Upon arrival at the Job Corps Center.


Will I be able to choose my roommate(s)?

You can if your admission counselor and center know in advance, and if the space is available.


Who cleans the dorm?

The students in each room share the responsibility. (Cleaning supplies are supplied)


What time do I have to get up?

You get up at 6:00 a.m., clean your room, and go to breakfast from 7:00-8:00 a.m.


When is weeknight curfew?

In dorm at 10:00 p.m., lights out at 11:00 p.m.


When is weekend curfew?

In dorm at 11:00 p.m., lights out at 3:00 a.m.


What happens if I miss bed check?

You are considered AWOL, (Absence Without Leave), unless prior arrangements have been made.


Laundry


What is the laundry policy?

Each student is responsible for his/her own laundry. Washer/dryer are provided in the dorms.

How is bed linen laundered?

Each student is responsible for his/her own laundry.

Do I bring my own laundry products?

No.

Are snacks available?

Extra items are purchased by the student using vending machines.

How do I give suggestions about the kind of food I like to eat?


- The cafeteria staff are open for input; talk with them.
- Give suggestions or concerns to the Student Government Association or Quality of Life Committee.


What if I’m a vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions?

Often staff work with persons with various needs. Veggie burgers are available. There are usually several items to choose from, and each day there is a salad bar.



Clothing, Accessories and Personal Care


What is the Center’s dress code? Am I expected to wear a uniform?

There is not a specific uniform. The dress that is appropriate to your vocation is what each student would be expected to wear. There are guidelines for evening and weekend wear on center. Employability is the theme.


Can I wear jewelry?

- Yes, although in the culinary arts vocation you cannot wear earrings while in class.
- Jewelry is worn as is appropriate to your vocation. If your jewelry is a safety issue then you would not be able to wear it during the work day. Certain jewelry is not allowed to be worn on center.


What is the policy on body piercing? (i.e. can students wear jewelry in nose, tongue, etc.)

Students cannot wear tongue studs, nose rings, eyebrow rings, or items that are not considered appropriate for an employee.


Where do I get my hair cut?

Students get their hair cut on their own. There are several salons in the area and appointments can be made for the weekends.


Does the center have a policy on hair length or styles? On facial hair?

Hair must be neat, clean and well groomed at all times. Haircuts with symbols or insignias are not permitted. This includes any radical hairstyles or colors. Facial hair must be neat, clean and trimmed at all times.


What is the smoking policy?

You need to be 19 years or older and smoke only in designated areas on center.

Contacting Family and Friends


How can my parents, family and friends reach me by telephone?

There are phones available in the common areas of the dorms, or they can call the center safety office and be forwarded to the dorm or leave a message.


Can I bring my cell phone? My pager?

Cell phones cannot be turned on during the workday. If you want one for after work hours that is fine.


What will my mailing address be?

800 East Lynn Martin Drive, Palmer, AK 99645


Will I have access to the Internet? Will I get an e-mail account? Can I use my own?

Computers are available in the dorms and the Learning Resource Center (LRC) in the recreation center for student use in the evenings. You can send and receive e-mail using your own e-mail account. Computers are available in all areas of the center.


Can my family send me money?

Yes.


Can my family and friends visit me at the Center? If so, when?

Yes, this needs to be arranged through your counselor.


Can visitors stay at the Center?

No, there are hotels available closeby.


Can I get a pass to leave on the weekends and holidays?

Students have several long weekends throughout the year, longer winter break at Christmas and a longer summer break scheduled around the 4th of July weekend. Students are provided transportation to their home for the winter and summer breaks.

Introduction to Center Life


What is the schedule like for new students? What will happen my first 60 days at the Center?

The first week a student is on center, he or she is introduced to center life. During the second and third weeks on center, students are exposed to a number of experiences and information on different careers that offer opportunities for job placements. Students begin taking the steps necessary to plan their careers: learning employability skills, job search and computer skills, creating a personal career development plan and exploring career opportunities.


What is the center’s Zero Tolerance Policy?

- The zero tolerance policy is for drugs, weapons and violence.
- If a student violates the zero tolerance policy, they will be terminated.

Daily Life on Center

What is the typical work/school week schedule?

- Monday-Wednesday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.


What happens if a student doesn’t attend class?

- Students are required to attend all classes.
- The student needs to be accounted for at all times.
- Unexcused absences from class or other required meetings violates the student code of conduct. Students may be referred to the behavior management system.


What is expected classroom behavior and dress code?

- No sleeping in class, be on time, no walkmans, cell phones or pagers in class.
- Midriff shirts, spaghetti straps with bra straps showing, and baggy, sagging pants are not acceptable.


Is there a dress code for my non-classroom hours?

Yes.

Is there an English as a Second Language (ESL) program at this center?

Yes.

Can I earn a High School diploma?

Yes. We have programs set up for students to earn their High School Diploma.


What recreational activities are offered?

Basketball, archery, weight lifting and cardio training, pool and ping pong room, winter sports, rock climbing wall, arts and crafts, volleyball, softball, swimming, and wilderness outdoor trips. There are many other choices throughout the year.


Are there any clubs on center?

Student Government, newspaper, new student advisor, peer helper, sports teams, native dancers and many more.


Are there any other special programs?

- TEAP-Trainee Employee Assistance Program for drug and alcohol information and education.
- Weight management, smoking cessation and student leadership programs.


May I attend church?

Yes, transportation is provided.


Can I go shopping? To the mall? When can I leave the center to do these things?

Yes, transportation is available some evenings and weekends to local malls, banks and the post office. Passes are required for off center trips.


Are there off center recreation trips? How often? How do I get to go?

Yes, the number of times per year varies. The students need to sign up for the trips in the recreation department.


Can I bring my car? My bike? My skateboard?

The car has to be approved by the Center Director on a case by case basis with appropriate paperwork. Bikes and skateboards are fine.

Leaving the Job Corps Center


When I’m close to completing the Job Corps program, how does the center help me make the transition from Job Corps to a career?

The center has Career Development Specialists that work with each student during the time they are on center and after they leave. They help the student develop a resume, hone interview skills, and conduct job searches. They also stay in contact with the student for up to one year after the student graduates.

For more information about the Alaska Job Corps, Call (907) 562-6200 or toll free at 1-800-733-JOBS.